Reversing Falls: Saint John's Wonder

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids located on the Saint John River in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river passes through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy, resulting in an interesting reverse flow of water caused by the change of tides in the bay. The Reversing Falls are a popular site in Saint John and a major tourist attraction in the area. Visitors can observe the falls at both high and low tide to witness the shift in water direction.

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River

The unique phenomenon of the Reversing Falls is caused by the collision of the bay's powerful tides with the river. At low tide, the river empties into the bay, creating a series of rapids and whirlpools. As the tide rises, it slows the river's current, and when it reaches high tide, the flow of the river is reversed, forcing the water upstream. The higher the tide, the stronger the reverse flow. After this reversal, the water becomes still during slack tide before the cycle begins again. This cycle occurs approximately every 12.5 hours.

The Reversing Falls have been a significant site for over a century, both industrially and as a tourist attraction. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is currently used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The area has also been home to a foundry and other light industrial operations.

Today, the Reversing Falls continue to draw visitors eager to witness the river's changing direction. Popular viewing points include the Reversing Falls Rapids Lookout Point near the bridge in Fallsview Park and Wolastoq Park, which offers a bird's-eye view. Visitors are advised to time their visits to coincide with both high and low tides to fully appreciate the shift in the water's flow.

The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids located on the Saint John River in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The Reversing Falls are formed by the unique geography of the area and the powerful tides of the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tides in the world. The tides cause the flow of the river to change direction throughout the day, resulting in a reverse flow of water. This phenomenon occurs due to the collision between the waters of the Bay of Fundy and the Saint John River.

At low tide, the Saint John River empties into the bay, creating a series of rapids and whirlpools. When the tide rises, it slows down the river's current, and as the tide continues to rise, the flow of the river is reversed, with water flowing upstream. The higher the tide, the higher the reverse flow of water. After this reversal, the water becomes still for a brief period, known as the slack tide. The interval between the tides is approximately 12.5 hours, and the river flows in a different direction depending on the time of day.

The Reversing Falls have captivated people for centuries and are a popular tourist attraction in Saint John. Visitors can observe the falls from various viewpoints, such as the Reversing Falls Rapids Lookout Point near the bridge in Fallsview Park or the Reversing Falls Roof Top Theater, where a short film explaining the phenomenon is also shown. The Reversing Falls Bridge and Wolastoq Park also offer excellent views of the falls.

The Reversing Falls are not just a natural wonder but also have a significant industrial history. The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is currently used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The area has also been home to a foundry and other light industrial operations, as well as a large pulp mill on the west side of the gorge.

The tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current

The Reversing Falls in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada, are a series of rapids on the Saint John River. The river passes through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy, which has the highest tidal range in the world.

The Reversing Falls exhibit an interesting reverse flow of water, which is caused by the change of tides in the Bay of Fundy. The tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high. This phenomenon occurs due to a collision between the waters of the bay and the river. The high tides of the bay cause the water from the Saint John River to flow against the currents whenever the tides are high. At low tide, the river pours water into the bay, resulting in a series of whirlpools and rapids. However, when the tide begins to rise, the river's current slows, and when the tide continues to rise, the flow of the river is reversed, forcing water to flow upstream. The higher the tide, the higher the reverse flow of water.

The Reversing Falls have been described as a "tug-of-war" between the river and the bay, showcasing the power of nature. This unique phenomenon has made the location a popular tourist attraction, with visitors coming from all over the world to witness the reverse flow of the waterfalls during the changing tides. To fully understand the movement of the water, it is recommended that tourists observe the falls twice: once at high tide and again at low tide.

The Reversing Falls have also been an important industrial site for over a century, with the Canadian Pacific Railway constructing the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885. The location of the falls has been home to a foundry, light industrial operations, and a large pulp mill.

The Reversing Falls have been an important industrial site for over a century

The Reversing Falls, a series of rapids on the Saint John River, are located in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy. The semidiurnal tides of the bay force the flow of water to reverse against the prevailing current when the tide is high, creating a significant navigation hazard. This unique phenomenon has made the Reversing Falls an important industrial and tourist site for over a century.

The Canadian Pacific Railway constructed the Reversing Falls Railway Bridge in 1885, which was replaced in 1922 and is now used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway. The railway bridge crosses the gorge immediately downstream from the falls, parallel to the Reversing Falls Road Bridge. The falls have also been an important site for light industrial operations, with a foundry and other facilities located on the east side of the gorge, while a large pulp mill operated by J.D. Irving is situated on the west side.

The Reversing Falls are a significant tourist attraction, offering spectacular views of rapids and whirlpools, particularly during low or high tide. Fallsview Park, located on the former industrial foundry lands, provides a vantage point to witness the waters reverse direction at slack tide. The site has also attracted adventure seekers, with jet boat rides and whitewater kayaking opportunities available due to the unique changes in the formation of the rapids during incoming or outgoing tides.

The Reversing Falls hold geological significance as well, showcasing the collision of ancient continents. The rocks exhibit the contact between two ancient geologic terranes, with Cambrian-age rocks south of the bridge and Precambrian-age marbles north of it, forming a boundary between two ancient continental fragments. This site tells a story of the Earth's geological history, attracting those interested in the natural sciences.

There are a variety of activities around the falls for visitors to enjoy

The Reversing Falls are a series of rapids on the Saint John River in Saint John, New Brunswick, Canada. The river runs through a narrow gorge before emptying into the Bay of Fundy, creating a unique phenomenon. At low tide, the river empties into the bay, causing rapids and whirlpools. When the tide rises, it slows the river current, and as the tide continues to rise, it gradually reverses the flow of the river.

• Witness the power of nature: Visitors can observe the mighty river's direction being reversed by the high tides of the Bay of Fundy, showcasing nature's tug-of-war. The best viewing spots include the Reversing Falls Rapids Lookout Point near the bridge in Fallsview Park and Wolastoq Park, which offers a bird's-eye view.
• Timing is key: To fully appreciate the phenomenon, it is essential to time your visit to catch both high and low tides. This will allow you to witness the river's transformation and the formation of rapids and whirlpools.
• Tours: There are various tours available, such as the Fundy Coast to Fundy Shore Tour, Saint John Walking Tour, and Bay of Fundy Tour by Bus, which provide informative and immersive experiences of the area.
• Ziplining: For those seeking an adrenaline rush, ziplining over the Reversing Falls is an exhilarating option.
• Dining: The area offers dining options with views of the Reversing Falls, such as the Plank restaurant located inside the Skywalk complex.
• Historical Sites: The Reversing Falls has been an important industrial site for over a century. Visitors can explore the Canadian Pacific Railway's Reversing Falls Railway Bridge (now used by the New Brunswick Southern Railway) and the nearby foundry and pulp mill.
• Water Activities: In the past, jet boat rides were offered on the river, providing a thrilling experience in the choppy waters. Although this business has since closed, whitewater kayaking has gained popularity due to the unique changes in the formation of the rapids during tides.

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